A review of The Drama of Scripture- Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story

I recently read this book and have written a summary of the book from my perspective. For anyone who wants a good overview of the bible I reccommend reading this book.

A review of The Drama of Scripture- Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story Authors Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen.

Act 1- God establishes his Kingdom

Act 1 is an introduction into the creation story and how man and women are brought into a relationship with God.

Act 2- Rebellion in the Kingdom

Sin has broken the relationship man had with God and it has negatively impacted in a way that has brought separation between God and the people he created.

Act 3- The King Chooses Israel

The chapter discusses sin and its impact on the world which leads to a discussion of the flood and how it notes how God is “both a holy Judge and a gracious Redeemer.” (50). several pages of discussion around the covenantal nature of God including the Covenant with Moses and Abraham. The patriarchal Judaic fathers are discussed as well as the story Israel. A discussion of the great Exodus and the giving of the Law come in this book as well. Act 3 goes through the Old Testament rather wholly, in a cliff notes version, so that one can understand the essence of the Old Testament. Essentially, Act 3 is a summation of the most important historical facts of the bible.

Act 4- The Coming of the King

To understand the coming of Christ in the New Testament, it helps to understand the Old Testament and the expectation of a Messiah for the Kingdom of Israel. Act 4 discuses the Gospel with a discussion of Baptism, Jesus’ mission, his teachings, and ministry. We come to a better understanding of who Jesus is and his message. For example he says “The way of discipleship is costly”: it demands total commitment, complete devotion and allegiance to Jesus and the kingdom of Go.” (153) In the last part of the book we learn of the disdain the Pharisees and the Sadducees had for Christ and how the disliked each other but banded together to bring Christ to trail in which was crucified. Luckily for us, the story does not end with death but continues on with the resurrection and the commissioning of his disciples.

Act 5- Spreading the News of the King

Act 5 is an introduction into missions. Christ will come again, but until that time we have to spread the word and makes disciples of Jesus Christ. In the absence of Christ we received the Spirit and the “mission is first of all a work of the Spirit.” We learn what it means to be a light to the world and to follow Christ. Christ is coming soon! Come Lord Jesus Come!

Top 10 + Significant Issues Raised by the Author ( in my opinion and in the order they come in the book)

“God is the divine source of all there is.” (32)

“Men and Women are made for intimate relationship with God, and our earthliness is no obstacle to that relationship.” (36)

“We humans are made for relationship, but sins effect is to drive us apart.” (43)

The Ten Commandments are good news. They tell Israel how to live so as to please God and display to nations God’s creational purposes for Humanity.” (68)

“Worship of God is what Israel is all about” (71)

The people of Israel thought of history as being comprised of two very distinct periods: the present age and the age to come.” (122)

“Baptism is a vivid symbol of this new beginning, suggesting cleansing from sin. The people of God are (symbolically) crossing the Jordan once more, entering into the land cleaned and ready to take up their task again.” (133)

“He has come to seek and to save what was lost” (143)

“In his death Jesus will bring the new covenant, the forgiveness of sins, the kingdom of God for which Israel longs.” (158)

“The Church Looks at the cross through the lens of resurrection” (163)

“When one begins to look at the cross through the lens of the resurrection, what at first appears to be foolishness is really the wisdom of God.” (163)

“Chris rules over all creation and redeems all creation.” (192)

“Human beings were created to enjoy fellowship with God in full context of creational life.”(212)

“Jesus is coming soon” (213)